Topic 4
Lesson 3 Women’s Suffrage
Franchise – The right to vote in public elections.
Suffrage – The right to vote in public elections.
When women get the vote in 1920, this did not account for black women
in the South.
The Seneca Fall Convention (1848)
-The suffrage movement begins here.
-They were divided on the issue of whether, black men should have the
vote before women or, if women should have the vote before black males.
-Blacks were given priority with the 14th and 15th amendment at the
expense of women.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902)
-Took part in the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention and was a leading figure in
their suffrage
-Also campaigned for the abolition of slavery.
-Became the first president of National American Women Suffrage
Association (NAWSA) in 1890.
-Was part of a delegate in presenting the argument for women suffrage to
Congress in 1892.
Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906)
-Campaigner for women, slavery and temperance.
-She worked closely with Stanton and presented a proposed constitutional
amendment for the right for women to vote in 1878.
-Congress would pass the ‘Susan B. Anthony Amendment’ (19 th
amendment) 15 years after her death.
Carrie Chapman Catt (1859-1947)
-Became president of the NAWSA in 1915 she set the goal for an
amendment.
-She would win additional sympathy by cooperating with the war effort
during WW1.
Alice Paul (1885-1977)
-Represented the militant wing of the suffrage movement and would often
face police brutality and other physical abuse for her activism but, she
always responded with non-violence and courage.
-Organised two major campaigns for women. The Woman Suffrage
Procession in 1913 which, was the first suffragist parade in Washington
D.C.
-The second campaign was in 1917, the ‘Silent Sentinels.’ Where,
members of the National Women’s Party protested silently in front of the
White House.
-These two campaigns were successful and resulted in the 19 th
amendment in 1920.
National American Women’s Suffrage Association (NAWSA)
-Created in 1890 to advocate for women’s right to vote.
-Stanton was the first president and it played a pivotal role in the passing
of the 19th.
-Had 7,000 members when it formed but, would grow up to 2 million
making it the largest voluntary organisation in the country.
-By 1909 it was organising public rallies and making close links to the
movement in Britain.
The National Woman’s Party (NWP)
-In 1910, Alice Paul returned from the UK where, she had been a part of
the militant suffrage movement. She had been jailed there and endured
force feedings after going on a hunger strike.
-She joined the NAWSA when she returned.
-In 1916, she formed the NWP due to internal divisions in the NAWSA.
-The NAWSA exploited its respectable image to engage in highly organised
lobbying at national and state levels.
-The NWP also engaged in lobbying but became known for more radical
approaches that were both dramatic and confrontational often in the
national capital.
WW1, Wilson And The 19th Amendment.
-WW1 was an important turning point for women.
-The NAWSA led by Catt, supported the war effort claiming that women
would be awarded with enfranchisement for their patriotic wartime
service.
-The NWP staged marches, demonstrations, and hunger strikes while
pointing out the contradictions of fighting for democracy abroad whilst
limiting it at home.
-The work of both organisations, swayed public opinion and made Wilson
in 1918, announce his support for the suffrage amendment in 1920.